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The Mount screened the film "Miss Representation," an examination of the role the mainstream media play in how women navigate their lives.

Mount Screens 'Miss Representation' Film About Empowering Women

Nov. 14, 2011 -- The Mount screened the women's empowerment film "Miss Representation" on its Doheny Campus Nov. 9 as part of an ongoing commitment to spotlight the challenges and opportunities for women in California.

The film, by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, posits that mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America. The film challenges what it perceives as the media’s limited and often disparaging portrayals of women and girls, which make it difficult for women to achieve leadership positions and for the average woman to feel powerful herself. Newsom is founder and CEO of MissRepresentation.org – a call-to-action campaign centered on the themes of her award-winning film.

On Nov. 14, the Mount's offices of Women's Leadership and Counseling and Psychological Services spearheaded a follow-up conversation on the Doheny Campus for students to discuss important issues raised in the film about building body confidence, and looking at ways women can support each other. "The film shows that women are not only criticized by men but by other women, as well," says Jenny Rodriguez, assistant director of women's leadership on the Doheny Campus. "We tend to be our own worst critics. A lot of the students who had seen the film walked out and felt really empowered. They were talking about how we should be treating each other like goddesses."

Rodriguez said Women's Leadership bought the rights to show the film multiple times, and hopes faculty will screen the film in their classes and provoke further discussion.

As the only Catholic college for women west of the Mississippi, the Mount is focused on helping more women attain leadership roles and become influencers in society. The College is drafting the Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California, scheduled to be released in April 2012.